Friday, October 28, 2011

Treating Sleep Apnea With Oral Devices

Sleep apnea, a condition in which a person's breathing is periodically paused or disrupted during sleep, affects approximately 18 million Americans. It is usually accompanied by loud snoring which results in a poor night's rest for both sufferer and those they live with. More seriously, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular problems.

Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are:

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o Loud and chronic snoring
o Pauses in breathing, followed by choking or gasping
o Shallow breathing
o Recurring daytime fatigue
o Loss of memory and/or concentration
o Morning headaches and/or dry throat

Some patients find relief through changes in habits or lifestyle, such as avoiding alcohol before bed or shedding a few extra pounds. In extreme situations surgery may be appropriate. But the most common treatment for mild to moderate cases is an oral sleep apnea device.

The two most common types are:

o A tongue retaining device, which uses gentle suction to hold the tongue forward and keep it from blocking the throat's airway;
and
o A mandibular repositioning device, which fits along your teeth and holds both the tongue and the jaw forward.

There are many advantages to treating sleep apnea with oral devices. First of all, they are not nearly as invasive as a surgical procedure or a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. They are also much more affordable. And because they don't require any major lifestyle changes, it is easier for people to commit to this form of treatment.

However, they are not without their disadvantages. Many users have coa Sleep apnea, a condition in which a person's breathing is periodically paused or disrupted during sleep, affects approximately 18 million Americans. It is usually accompanied by loud snoring which results in a poor night's rest for both sufferer and those they live with. More seriously, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular problems.

Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are:

o Loud and chronic snoring

o Pauses in breathing, followed by choking or gasping

o Shallow breathing

o Recurring daytime fatigue

o Loss of memory and/or concentration

o Morning headaches and/or dry throat

Some patients find relief through changes in habits or lifestyle, such as avoiding alcohol before bed or shedding a few extra pounds. In extreme situations surgery may be appropriate. But the most common treatment for mild to moderate cases is an oral sleep apnea device.

The two most common types are:

o A tongue retaining device, which uses gentle suction to hold the tongue forward and keep it from blocking the throat's airway;

and

o A mandibular repositioning device, which fits along your teeth and holds both the tongue and the jaw forward.

There are many advantages to treating sleep apnea with oral devices. First of all, they are not nearly as invasive as a surgical procedure or a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. They are also much more affordable. And because they don't require any major lifestyle changes, it is easier for people to commit to this form of treatment.

However, they are not without their disadvantages. Many users have complained that oral devices are uncomfortable, causing dry mouths and sore gums. They can also cause a shift in tooth or jaw placement over time, which is why it is important to have a sedation dentist or orthodontist custom-fit one for your mouth.

The effectiveness of treatment depends on a variety of factors unique to each patient. Consult your dental professional to find out if an oral sleep apnea device is right for you.mplained that oral devices are uncomfortable, causing dry mouths and sore gums. They can also cause a shift in tooth or jaw placement over time, which is why it is important to have a sedation dentist or orthodontist custom-fit one for your mouth.

The effectiveness of treatment depends on a variety of factors unique to each patient. Consult your dental professional to find out if an oral sleep apnea device is right for you.

Treating Sleep Apnea With Oral Devices

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